King Charles diagnosed with cancer, halts duties

King Charles III is undergoing cancer treatment, stepping back from duties. Prince William will fill in, as world leaders send support.

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and has begun receiving treatment. As a result, he will be stepping back from public duties temporarily, with the possibility of sharing responsibilities with other members of the royal family. The palace spokesperson assured the public that the king is receiving expert care and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

Although the treatment began on Monday, the king will continue to fulfill state business and official paperwork "as usual". In the event that the head of state is unable to fulfill official duties, a constitutional mechanism is in place where "counselors of state" can be appointed to act as substitutes for the monarch. These counselors include Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward. Prince William, as a future king and senior royal in the line of succession, will step up to carry out some duties on behalf of his father while the king undergoes treatment.

The king personally informed his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as his siblings, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, and the Duke of Edinburgh, of the cancer diagnosis before it was publicly announced. Prince Harry was due to arrive in the United Kingdom on Tuesday from California to be with his father.

Since the announcement of the cancer diagnosis, many world leaders, politicians, religious leaders, and celebrities have sent messages wishing the king a speedy recovery. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who crowned Charles as king in the coronation ceremony last year, expressed his sadness and said he is "praying for the king and his family -- for God's comfort and strength in the weeks and months to come". British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed his shock and sadness, conveying his gratitude that the king's cancer had been detected at an early stage.

The news of the king's cancer diagnosis has elicited an outpouring of support and well-wishes from people around the world. Everyone is hoping that the king receives the treatment he needs and makes a full recovery.